I first saw PWR BTTM a few years ago when they opened at the Biltmore for Ra Ra Riot. While I interviewed Wes from Ra Ra Riot, he proudly wore a neon-pink PWR BTTM sweat shirt. Next time I saw the band, they were headlining at 333 on a bill with Bellows and Lisa Prank. It was a great night, a fun crowd. (Each act on the bill stayed to watch the others perform at the back of the room–which is a rare thing.) My leather jacket wearing straight dude music snob friends (there to see Bellows) could mix with tank top, glitter and cotton candy colored hair queer folk there to see PWRBTTM. Two very different crowds (who don’t mingle enough) got to enjoy a great show together and everyone felt safe.

While at the PWR BTTM show, I met Maguire (who goes by the pronouns them/they), a young PWRBTTMsuper fan–such a fanthey had come to Vancouver from a remote community just to see the band. I wanted to get their take on this horrible situation.

“The space that PWRBTTM created was like no other. I’ve been to punk shows, rap shows, and rock shows of all sorts, but PWRBTTM stood out because of the way they didn’t just use the space, but transformed it. For a few short hours, I felt safer at a show than I’d ever felt previously. Both band members constantly stressed the importance of their “No Mosh” policy and what consent means to them between quips about appetizer bread from the nearby Ethiopian restaurant and being berated by hot Canadian border guards. They spoke and the people listened, danced, and respected their wishes and the people around them. As someone who has woken up with bruises from errant moshers the day after a show the feeling of being able to really let go and not worry about what other people are doing in the space surrounding me, allowed me to enjoy the music more than you ever could at a regular show where people are pushing you mercilessly, unconcerned with any other person’s idea of enjoying a concert. The idea that each person entered into this space purely to enjoy the music without impeding others elevated the experience.

This band has meant more to me than any other ever has. Hands down. And it still does, I can’t change the way this band changed me and the effect their music has had on me. I am who I am today because of things I have learned from their records. I am sincerely devastated more than anything by the accusations laid against them.”

This is my chat with Ben and Liv from PWRBTTM as we hung out in the band’s tour van parked outside 333 while it rained outside on a Friday night in November 2016.